Best Selling Books by Eileen Spinelli

This padded board book edition of Thankful, by bestselling and award-winning children’s author Eileen Spinelli, combines charming rhymes and whimsical illustrations to convey the importance of being thankful for everyday blessings.

An anonymous valentine changes the life of the unsociable Mr. Hatch, turning him into a laughing friend who helps and appreciates all his neighbors.

Miss Fox''s class wants to go to Roller Coaster Planet—but they have to earn their way to the park. When their fund-raising attempts go awry, the class discovers their earnings are going down, not up! This fun picture book introduces kids to budgeting.

Through vibrant illustrations and age-appropriate language, this 26-page storybook helps children learn that they, no matter how young, can make a difference in the world. We''re Better Together instills in kids the value of compassion, teamwork and community, encouraging them to feel confident in their abilities and their voices. Showing that we''re better together when we play, when we make music and when everyone pitches in, this beautifully illustrated kindness book celebrates people coming together to solve problems, support communities and honor differences. It''s perfect for young children ages 2-5 who are learning about empathy and cooperation, and for sparking meaningful conversations at home or in the classroom. With durable cardstock pages and approachable, kid-friendly language, this book gives fun examples of teamwork with a read-aloud experience that kids will love. Designed with families and educators in mind, this book is crafted by childhood experts to promote strong social and emotional skills and build positive associations with reading. National Parenting Seal of Approval Winner, Mom''s Choice Award, Gold

"Taut, fast-paced, economical, devoid of sham, Spinelli’s book echoes Dickinson’s own deceptive simplicity."--The New York Times Book Review Eleven-year-old Suzy just can''t win. Her brother is a local hero for calling 911 after seeing their elderly neighbor collapse, and only her best friend was able to win a role in the play they both auditioned for. Feeling cast aside from all angles, Suzy sees a kindred spirit in Emily Dickinson, the subject of her summer project. Suzy decides to escape from her disappointments by emulating the poet''s life of solitude: no visitors or phone calls (only letters delivered through her window), no friends (except her goldfish, Ottilie), and no outings (except church, but only if she can wear her long white Emily dress). But being a recluse is harder than Suzy predicted. Will she find a way to fold Emily into her life while also remaining true to herself?

As a young mouse yearns for spring, his mother reminds him of the wonders of winter he can enjoy now. This gentle story reminds readers to be content in the moment and to look for happiness wherever they are. Full color.

The best story is one that comes from the heart. The library is having a contest for the best story, and the quirky narrator of this book just has to win that rollercoaster ride with her favorite author! But what makes a story the best? Her brother Tim says the best stories have lots of action. Her father thinks the best stories are the funniest. And Aunt Jane tells her that the best stories have to make people cry. A story that does all these things doesn''t seem quite right, though, and the one thing the whole family can agree on is that the best story has to be your own. Anne Wilsdorf''s hilarious illustrations perfectly capture this colorful family and their outrageous stories in Eileen Spinelli''s heartfelt tale about creativity and finding your own voice.

Every year a rented pink cottage full of family, swapping stories, and riding waves mean Summerhouse Time for Sophie. Best of all is sharing a room with her favorite cousin and laughing and trading secrets like two happy peas in a cousin pod. Sophie can''t wait! But when she asks the now-a-teenager Colleen if she''s looking forward to their time together, Colleen just says "I guess so." What? It''s the best time of the year, the time they both love. In just a little bit, they will all be together in the cottage on the beach. Will this year be just as wonderful, just like always? Accompanied by charming black-and-white illustrations, classic growingup experiences radiate throughout the pages of this sunny, anytime story.

A young mouse is encouraged by his mother to enjoy summer while waiting for autumn to come.

2013 Best Children''s Books of the Year, Bank Street College It''s Christmas Eve, and a family of ten mice shivers in the snow. One by one, each mouse finds a place to stay warm, only to discover that they''d rather huddle together on this holiday night. With gently rhyming text and charming illustrations, this picture book is a wonderful readaloud at Christmastime.

A playful goose entertains her barnyard friends

From award-winning author Eileen Spinelli, this cozy and adorable book is perfect for bedtime, teaching your kids to count to ten, or even presenting the idea of thankfulness as an everyday event. And the rhyming text and child-friendly illustrations make this book wonderful for toddlers and young readers. Counting Blessings follows a young bunny as he counts his blessings through his day, as well as explores all the blessings awaiting him throughout the rest of the year. As you child counts along from 1 to 10, they will learn to be thankful for the simple, everyday things—like family, warm clothes, and favorite toys—as well as the things that make the day extra-special, like ten good night kisses. With rhymes that make counting fun to remember and illustrations with elements your child can find and count along with, this delightful board book captures the attention of young children, filling their minds with numbers and their hearts with happiness. Counting Blessings: makes counting fun and relatable for kids helps your child look for and count the blessings in their own life also contains elements about the four seasons is perfect for lap reading

Describes in rhyme the special qualities that characterize each month of the year.

A relatable novel-in-verse about loss…and what happens afterwards. Twelve-year-old Birdie Briggs loves birds. They bring her comfort when she thinks about her dad, a firefighter who was killed in the line of duty. Life without her dad isn’t easy, but at least Birdie still has Mom and Maymee, and her friends Nina and Martin. But then Maymee gets a boyfriend, Nina and Martin start dating, and Birdie’s mom starts seeing a police officer. And suddenly not even her beloved birds can lift Birdie’s spirits. Her world is changing, and Birdie wishes things would go back to how they were before. But maybe change, painful as it is, can be beautiful too. With compelling verse and a lighthearted touch, Eileen Spinelli captures the poignancy of adolescence and shows what can happen when you let people in. This new paperback edition includes discussion questions after the story to encourage conversations about friendships, family changes, and other themes of the story.

Full of silly humor, this cheerful picture book proves that no matter how you celebrate Christmas, it''s the spirit of the holiday that counts the most. Family one: exquisite pastries, a beautifully trimmed tree, and festive cello music. Family two: an artificial tree, rock hard candy, and custom kazoo carols.

The weatherman predicted rain.So Nora built an ark.Just like Noah.Well....Not just like Noah. Noah welcomed a host of animals two-by-two. Nora’s passenger list includes two backyard spiders, a pair of battery-operated monkeys, and a couple of unimpressed cats. Nora also employs her little brother, some dusty wooden boxes, and a sizeable dose of contagious imagination in her distinctive re-creation of the timeless story. Charming and inventive, Nora’s big voyage, and its stirring conclusion, provide entertainment and inspiration for readers of all ages.

A boy wears his new yellow shirt and is transformed in his imagination into a duck, a lion, a daffodil, a trumpet, and other things.

Buzz loves absolutely everything there is about being a bee. She loves her yellow and black jacket. She loves the way the flowers smell in the springtime. But the thing she loves most of all is being able to fly. Through the trees and down around the pond, past the farm and around the rosebushes - she flies everywhere. But when she hears that bees aren''t supposed to be able to fly, she finds herself unable to get off the ground. What is little Buzz to do? How will she find her wings again?

Two families—one that is perfect and one that is far from it—celebrate Thanksgiving in their own loving ways.

You''re invited! Join the Tappletons, the nicest bunch of wolves ever, for a very special Thanksgiving meal. Everyone has a job to do. Mrs. Tappleton is making the turkey. Mr. Tappleton is buying the pies. Kenny is in charge of the salad. Jenny is mashing the potatoes. It seems like everything is going smoothly. But be prepared for a big surprise when the rest of the family starts to arrive for Thanksgiving at the Tappletons''!

A cold snap has everyone in the town of Toby Mills feeling down, until the mayor''s wife thinks of a way to warm things up again.

On this busy little farm, day begins with a loud crow at sunup, and then there are flapjacks to be flipped, cows to be milked, piggies to feed . . . and in the blink of an eye, it''s nighttime. This joyful rhyming celebration of everyday life is just right for bedtime.

DELICIOUS PANCAKES!! FREE!! ALL YOU CAN EAT!! COME TO OUR NEW GRAND OPENING! The grand opening of the Dancing Pancake isn''t the only new thing in Bindi''s life: new friends, a new apartment, maybe even a cute new crush? But there are other changes, like her dad''s move to a new city, that have left Bindi confused and wondering: What will happen to my family? Will this new life ever feel normal? Among the unlikely bunch of regulars who form a makeshift community at the diner, Bindi will try to figure out how to be a new version of herself, one pancake and one silly elephant joke (her uncle''s specialty) at a time. With plenty of surprises, milk shakes, fake spiders, and real feelings, readers are sure to flip for the sweet mix of humor and heart in The Dancing Pancake.

The mercury is climbing in Lumberville, and the folks are doing everything they can to keep cool. Officer McGinnis spends the day in a cold bath, Lottie Mims does her housework in her bathing suit, and Abigail and Ralphie Blue sell ice cubes. When the temperature refuses to relent, the entire community seeks solace by the river--where everyone dreams of cool relief. A cast of quirky characters and lots of playful details from two celebrated picture-book talents make this heat wave look like fun!

A little girl dreams about the things that she will do when she is older.

A tiny squeeze is all it takes. With this simple action you can turn a frown into a smile and show that you care. One hug can mean everything, so hug your mom, hug your dad, hug your sister or your brother, and hug your friend. Eileen Spinelli and Dan Andreasen create a sweet, simple, and poetic picture book about the power of a loving hug that is a sure bet to brighten your day—just like a hug.

A collection of poems that appeals to the imagination of young children. Bright watercolor drawings accompany each poem.

Rhyming text describes some famous historical figures, from Annie Oakley and Merriwether Lewis to Sigmund Freud and Billie Holiday, and their beloved dogs. Includes facts about the people cited in the book.

I know it''s autumn when we rake the leaves in piles, when doorstep jack-o''-lanterns wear their crooked smiles ... Leaves are falling, geese are flying, and warm coats are -- reluctantly -- being worn to school. That can mean only one thing: It''s autumn! Eileen Spinelli and Nancy Hayashi invite you to enjoy autumn''s many delights -- from warm socks worn on chilly mornings to tempting piles of crackly leaves on the lawn -- in this sweet, funny look at fall.

Spanning the four seasons, these poems, full of fanciful wordplay and playful images, capture the icy splendor of the Arctic''s environment and its inhabitants.

Rhyming text describes a great variety of hats worn by celebrities throughout history.

Diana loves where she lives. She loves the astronomy charts on her walls and the fact that she can wave to her best friend, Rose, from her very own window. And best of all, a wren has recently made its home right by her front door! When her family is forced to move, Diana wonders if she?ll ever find that same grounded and happy feeling again. This gentle and ultimately redeeming story in poems is about those secure and fulfilling friendships that happen naturally and easily when you live right next door, and the struggles of losing the comfort of a familiar place. Matt Phelan''s warm and expressive illustrations perfectly complement Eileen Spinelli''s tenderhearted and unique tale that reminds us that sometimes a little uprooting and change is necessary for growth.

A cat gives birth to a litter of kittens in an abandoned building that catches fire while she is out searching for food. Based on a true story.

While walking home from school, a young boy experiences many scary things, both imaginary and real, and looks forward to being safe and snug at home with his parents.

2007 Best Children''s Book of the Year, Bank Street College Day and night, Callie Cat ice skates on the pond in her backyard. She loves to ice skate, loves it more than chocolate cake, more than going to the mall—more than her friends can understand. That is, until the Honeybrook Ice Rink announces a contest, and everyone thinks it could be Callie''s big chance! Now Callie practices day and night. She wants to win the big prize...doesn''t she? Sometimes doing something you love is its own reward, as Eileen Spinelli''s beautiful story demonstrates.

Celebrate our planet and count the ways little ones can help it, with this board book about caring for the Earth. In this conservation-themed book, gentle verse reminds the reader of Earth''s beauties--starting with "one wide sweeping sky, two honey bees" and continuing all the way to "ten fields to plow." The text then starts counting backwards, listing simple ways children can help, such as reducing waste and reusing items. The conclusion takes us back to number one with the book''s key message: "One Earth so beautiful. Remember--only one." At once, both celebration and challenge, this book will encourage children to take better care of the planet.

More than twenty-five poems about both common and unusual birds.

Hoping to have an adventure to impress her grandcows, Emmadine Cow joins Admiral Richard E. Byrd on his 1933 expedition to the South Pole.

2010 Green Prize for Sustainable Literature Youth Picture Book 2010 Green Earth Book Award When Miss Fox shows up at school riding her bicycle, Mouse asks, "Do you have a flat tire?" "No," Miss Fox tells her students. "I am going green!" Soon everyone in the class is working to keep the earth healthy. Mouse takes shorter showers (and does her singing after!); Bunny brings a cloth bag to the supermarket; and Possum turns the lights off when he goes out. And Miss Fox''s simple act has ripples even beyond her own students...soon the whole school starts riding their bikes—including the principal.